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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






2. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






3. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






4. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






5. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






6. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






7. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






8. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played smoothly.






9. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






10. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






11. A string of chords played in succession.






12. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






13. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






14. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






15. Word to indicate that the movement or entire composition is to be played grandly.






16. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






17. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






18. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






19. Lowest female singing voice.






20. A symbol used in musical notation indicating to gradually quicken tempo.






21. Time signature with three beats to the measure.






22. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






23. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






24. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






25. Group of singers in a chorus.






26. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






27. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






28. Repetition of a single tone.






29. Pertains to tone or tones.






30. The structure of a piece of music.






31. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






32. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






33. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






34. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






35. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






36. A book of text containing the words of an opera.






37. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






38. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






39. Indicating speed.






40. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






41. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






42. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






43. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






44. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






45. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






46. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






47. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






48. Originally an improvised cadence by a soloist. Later it became a written out passage to display performance skills of an instrumentalist or performer.






49. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






50. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.